Combined resistance element and regulator



W. A. HARVEY.

COMBINED RESISTANCE ELEMENT AND REGULATOR. APPLICATION FILED MAR-1,I92I- 1,409,948. Patented Mar. 21,1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Z6 William 4. fl 3y W. A. HARVEY.

COMBINED RESISTANCE ELEMENT AND REGULATOR.

APPLICAHON FILED MAR. 1, 1921.

1,409,948. Patenwd Mar. 21, 1922.

EE 5 [5 4 W W i i fifi N 5 Xi PATENT OFFICE.

W'ILLIAM A. HARVEY. SCBANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMBINED RESISTANCE ELEMENT AND REGULATOR.

Application filed. March 1, 15521.

To ([ZZ w/mm it may concern:

' Be it known that I, lVInLLm; A. ILXRVEY, a citizen of the UnitedStates. and a resident of the city of f 'zcranton county of liackawanna;and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful intprovements in Combined Resistance Elements and Regulators, of which thefollowing is a'specification.

My invention relates to a combined resistance element and regulator andparticularly to an arrangement of this type especially designed, for usein connection with electric light ':handelier fixtures.

In standard electric light equipment there is a type of fixture known asshower fixture which comprises a pan to which the lamp sockets areattached in various relations. lVhile this general type of fixture isstandard and universally used, thepan is made'in various shapes andsizes according to the particular design of fixture.

In general, however, this pan tapers toward the bottom and is of varieddepths in order to accomplish the proper portions of symmetry in design.

It is, therefore, the primary purpose of my invention to provide aresistance element and regulator of such shape and proportions as toenable it to be contained within the pan of standard light fixtureswhereby it will be'coneealed from view but may be inserted in thelighting circuit so that the brilliancy or candle power of the electricbulbs can be regulated. The resistance element is constructed so thatitforms a unit which may be inserted as a whole in to these fixture panswithout defacing or mutilating the fixture; y

In constructing the resistance element the general contour effected issimilar to that of the pan so that the resistance element may beconveniently housed therein. Where the contour of the pan varies greatlywith the tapering of the resistance element, I have provided meansforelongating the taper of the resistance element so that it canaccommodate itself to the shape of the pan.

7 Inconnection with the resistance element, I provide a regulator orcontact device which is formed permanently with the'resistance elementor made a part thereof. This regulater is disposed so that it can beconveniently'o eratedfrom a point outside of the pan am/by means whichwill. not destroy Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, 1922.

Serial No. 448,783.

the symmetry or finished appearance of the Fixture.

The various features and advantages of my invention will be made moreapparent n the accompanying specification and draw- Fig. 1 is aperspective view of a representative type of fixture equipped with myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view with certain parts broken away of theresistance element 3 is a transverse section of the body of the fixture,

Fig. 4- is a plan view of the pan with the top cover removed.

Fig. 5 is a similar view with certain parts omitted.

(i is a diagrammatic View of the device connected to a lighting circuitand Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showingthe connectionbetween the base and resistance element platform.

Referring now 'm'ore particularly to the drawings wherein 10 indicatesthe body or pan of the fixture provided with a cover 11 and a finishingcap or member 12. Through a link 13 connection is made with the usualsupporting chain 14. Secured t0 the pan 10 are arms 15 from which aresuspended the electric lights 16.

As clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 the pan 1.0 is formed with anopen top 17 and tapers in general contour to a bottom cone point 18. Thepans in this general class of shower fixtures approximates the taperedcontour illustrated in the drawings and it is within this pan that Iintend housing the resistance element forming the subject matter of thisinvention. The construction of the resistance element is, therefore,particularly designed and comprises a base 19 which is substantiallypen-shaped and provided with a narrow vertical side wall 20. Disposedwithin the base 19 is a plate 21 of any suitable insulating materialadapted to support the regulator or contact device and to insulate itfrom the base.

The wall 20 of the base isv provided with radiall disposed projectionsor lugs 22 provided with threaded apertures. Spaced above the base 19 isa resistance unit supporting platform 23 which is in the form of arinoand provided with radially disposed projections 24-. The platform 23is spaced from. the base and rigidly secured thereto by means of washers24' and bolts 25. The bolts 25 pass through the platform 23 and theWashers 24' and are screwed into the screw-threaded openings in the lugs22. By varying the number of washers 24 and consequently the length ofthe bolt 25, the space between the platform 23 and the base 19 may beregulated, for a purpose to be more fully hereinafter described.

Three of the lugs 24 have secured thereto fiber plugs 26 suitablyrecessed on one of their faces to receive a circular resistance memberor unit 27. These fiber plugs are secured to their respective lugs orprojec tions by bolts'28 passing through them vertically and into thelug. In order to prevent rotation of the fiber plugs each of the threesupporting lugs may be provided with an upstanding rib 29 which abutsthe fiber plug and retains the same properly positioned for supportingthe resistance unit. It is obvious that rotation of the fiber ugs may beprevented in various ways, such for instance, as dowel pins formed uponthe plugs and projecting into the apertures in the supporting lugs. Theother three sup porting lugs or projections 24 are provided with a sheetof fiber or other insulating material 30 upon which the resistance unitis adapted to lie.

For providing support for the resistance element at the top thereof, Isecure to'the platform 23 a supporting spider 31. This spider is securedto the supporting platform by suitable bolts 32 and is formed with ascrew threaded aperture at its center to receive a short piece of pipeThe other end of this pipe is in screw threaded engagement with a hickey34, which, in turn is screw threadedly connected to a pipe 35 wherebyconnection may be made with :the finishing cap 12 of the fixture. Wiresfrom the lighting circuit pass out through the hickey 34 for connectionwith the electric light bulbs and the resistance unit.

Upon the fiber plate 21 I mount the regulator or contact pieces forcontrolling the amount of resistance interposedin the lightmg circuit.This regulator consists essentially of superposed contact members ofwhich two are spring contact plates 36 and 37 arranged as clearlyillustrated with their free ends in' substantial alignment. The springcontact plate 36 is arranged lowermost and secured immediately upon theplate 21 while the contact member 37 is spaced somewhat over the plate21 by the intervention of a fiber washer or spacing element 38. Thethird contact member is in the form of a rigid strap or stop 39 securedat both ends to the plate 21 and spaced therefrom by the intervention oftwo fiber washers or spacing elements 40. Normally the. contact-s 36 37and 39 do not touch one another and it is when they are brought intosuccessive engagement that portions of the resistance is'cut out of thelighting circuit.

For effecting this engagement of the con- .tact faces I have provided amechanism which is operable preferably from the lower end 18 of the pan.To accomplish this the plate 21 is apertured centrally as indicated at41 to register with a suitable aperture 42 in the base 19. The aperture42 in the base is formed with a shoulder 43 and the lower end of theaperture is screw threaded to provide for engagement of a short sectionof pipe 44. This section of pipe 44 extends a short distance beyond theend 18 of the pan and has screw threaded thereon a clam ing member 45.By the parts just descri ed the resistance element as a whole is securedfirmly within the pan i and accidental. displacement of the sameprevented. The lower end of the clamping member 45 is provided withinternal screw threads which engage with the screw threads on anoperating rod 46. This rod passes up through the pipe 44 and abutsagainst the lower end of a movable fiber plug 47. This fiber plug restsupon the shrmlders 4.3 of the base 19 and its upper end is immediatelyadjacent the lower spring contact member The lower end of the rod 46 isprovided with a knob or end 48 which may be decorative so as toharmonize with the fixture. It is obvious, therefore, that by rotatingthe rod 46 in the proper direction it will move the plug 47 upwardly andcause the contact members to successively engage one another to cut outportions of the resistance from the lighting circuit.

By referring now more particularly to Fig. 6 I will describe the mannerin which .he resistance unit interposed in the lighting circuit iscontrolled. The lamps 16 are illustrated diagrammatically in this figureand are shown as connected in parallel. The source of power is indicatedby the numeral 49.

()ne wire, in this instance, the positive wire 50, is connected to thecontact 36. A lead wire 51. connects the contact 36 to one end of theresistance unit 27. A second lead wire 52 is connected to the resistanceunit intermediate its length to connect the unit to contact 37. A thirdlead wire 53 connects the other end of the resistance unit to thecontact 39. A lead wire 54 connects the series of lamps 16 with theconta t 39.

When the contact are separated as iliwtrated in Fig. 3, current flowingfrom the. positive side of the circuit goes through Win- 50 to contact36, thence through wire 51 to the resistance unit. It flows through theen tire resistance unit and thence through lead wire 53 to contact 39and from contact 39 through wire 54 to the lamps which as hereinbeforestated, are connected in parallel. From the lamps it flows to thenegative side the source of burn. at a somewhat greater brillance inas-.sequently causing the degree of brilliance is lowest inasmuch as theentireunit of resistance is interposed in the-circuit to the lamps.

If, now, the rodv l6 be rotated to move the plug -17 upwardly it willcause contact 36 to impinge contact 37 and the circuit will be asfollows: From the positive side of the source o'tcurrent through wire50, contact 36, contact 37, lead wire to that portion of the resistanceunit which is disposed between the point of connection of the wire 52and that of the wire 53. The current, therefore, flows through thisportion of the resistance unit, through wire 53, contact 39, lead wire54 to the lamps and thencefto the negative side of power. In thisinstance, lamps much as only a portion of the resistance unit isinterposed in the lamp circuit.

It, now, the rod 46, be rotated further, it will cause contact 37 whichis already impinged by contact 36 to impinge contact 39. Because oftherigidity of contact, 39 liability of rotating the rod 46 too far andconthe contacts to, be unduly bent or to touch themetal spider, iseliminated. When the three contacts engage one another the circuit is asfollows: From thepositive side of the sourceof current it flowsthrough-lead wire 50, contacts 36, 37 and 39 through i to the negativeside of the source of current.

lead wire 54L to thelamps and thence In this instance, the entireresistance unit is short circuited or practically cut out of thelighting circuit and the lamps burn at full brilliance.

For insulating the lead wires 51, 52 and 53 tromthe' resistance elementsupporting platform suitable insulating sleeves 55 are provided throughwhich these wires extend. Also it is desirable to house the portion ofthe device containing the spring contacts by insulation and in thedrawings 1 have illustrated one way of accomplishing this. A collar orring of insulating material 56 is disposed vertically between theperiphery of the insulating plate 21 and the upstanding wall 20 of thebase 19 as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. This collar is suitablyslotted at its upper edge for the arms of the spider and the insulatingsleeves 55. A flat plate of insulating material 57 suitably apertured atits center is placed over the hickey 34: and sections of pipe 33 and 35until it lies against the top face of the spider. In this position itwill contact the upper edge of the insulating collar 56 and formtherewith a housing for the regulating device. Forsecuring this plate 57in position screws 58 may be provided in the arms of the spider tocooperate with bayonet slots 59 in the plate.

In inserting this device in the pan of a fixture the top cover 11 andfinishing cap 12 will be disconnected and the device set in the pan. Thesection of pipe 44 will be caused to' project slightly beyond the bottomend of the pan and the clamping element 45 screwed thereon. This causesthe element to repose snugly in the pan.

The clamping element 45 also provides means "for mounting the rod 46which is used to operate the regulating device. The regulating devicemay be easily connected to the usual lighting circuit as illustrateddiagrammatically in Figure 6. The fixture when the other parts have beenassembled has the advantages of variable lighting but the parts whichcontrol this variable degree of brilliance ot the-lamps are-completelyhoused and hidden within the parts of fixture.

As stated hereinbei'ore, the universal type of shower fixtures allembody thetapering pans, these pans, however, varying in dimensions andexact contour to some degree. The arrangement of the parts of theresistance element is such that they accommodate themselves to thegeneral contour of these pans. If, however, the contour of the pan weremore elongated, for instance, from top to bottom, than that illustratedin Figure 3, it .would' be imperative that the resistance unit 27 beraised somewhat so as to space it from the walls otthe pan, it beingassumed that because of the elongated shape of the pan that the wallswould be disposed close to the resistance element. -VVith the structuredescribed, this is compensated for by the interposition of removablewashers 24' disposed between the base 19 and the supporting plat form ofthe resistance element. Conse quently the resistance platform and theresistance unit maybe elevatedas desired from the base 19 in order tospace it from the tapering walls of the pan.

Various details of my invention may be altered in many respects withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof. the essential :Feature ofthe invention residing in the entire construction which results in aseparatable unit adaptedto be conveniently reposed in the pan ofstandard lightin fixtures. I particularly reserve the rig t to make thenecessary and obvious modifications of the structure illustrated in thedrawings.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A resistance element for use in connection with a chandelier fixtureprovided with a tapered pan, comprising a base, a platform spaced fromsaid base, a resistance unit supported by said platform, a regulatingdevice mounted on said base, means for securing said base to said panand means for operating the regulating device.

2. A separable resistance element adapted for use with an electricalfixture provided contact faces.

cular base, an insulating plate in said base,

asupporting platform, a resistance unit carried by said platform, meansfor spacing saidplatform from said base and for rigidly securing thesame thereto, a multi plicity of superposed spring contact platescarried by said insulating plate, means for connecting said contactplates to said resistance unit, said unit and contact plates adapted tobe interposed in the lighting circuit, means for removably securing saidbase to the pan, and means projecting through said securing means andoperable from without said pan for controlllng the 4. A' resistanceelement adapted to be contained within the tapering pan of shower typeelectric light fixtures, comprising a circular base, a ring providedwith radially disposed projections and forming a supporting platform, aresistance unit'carried by said platform, said supporting platform beingof a larger diameter than said base, a

pipe screw threaded to said base and projecting through the lower end ofsaid pan, a

clamping element secured thereto, a resistance regulating device carriedby said base, means extending through said pipe and operable fromWithout the pan, for controlling the regulating device, said resistanceunit and regulating device being interposed in the lighting circuit ofthe fixture.

5. The combination of a tapering pan of a shower type electric lightfixture with a separable resistance element provided with a similartapering contour, said resistance element comprising a base, asupporting platform of larger diameter than said base, a resistance unitcarried by said platform, meansfor securing said platform upon said baseat variable distances, an insulating plate carried by said base, saidinsulating plate being provided with a centrally disposed aperture,surperposed spring contacts carried by said plate, said base beingprovided with an aperture registering with the aperture of said plate, apipe screw-threadedly connected to said base and projecting outside ofsaid pan, a clamping member screw-threadedly engaging the projecting endof said pipe for securing said base to said pan, a plug disposed in theregistering apertures of said plate and base, means extending throughsaid pipe for moving said plug vertically to cause said contacts toengage one another, said contacts and said resistance unit beingconnected and interposed in the electric light circuit, an insulatingcollar surrounding said insulating plate and an insulating cover plateresting upon saidjcollar and forming an insulating housing,substantially as described.

WILLIAM A. HARVEY.

